War mother and wife Rosealean Johnnie was honored by the Osborne family, along with Anneliese Satz, a U.S. Marine Captain and the first woman to pilot a F-35B jet.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Annual Veteran’s Breakfast has been sponsored by the Osborne family for over 30 years, according to family member and U.S. Marine veteran Claudeo Broncho.
Broncho said the breakfast has been passed on through a couple generations and kept going in respect and honor of all veterans wherever they might be. They honor all veterans in the five different areas of the military, in the Marine Corps., Army, Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force.
Broncho said it’s been hard to find a place to have the event due to COVID-19, but expressed it was important to carry on.
A sunrise prayer and flag raising took place in the morning at the entrance of the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel Event Center.
Tables were set up to honor veteran’s and their families in the lobby. The Johnnie family had a display recognizing Wilford. W. Johnnie Sr., Elliot L. Johnnie and Freddie C. Johnnie. Another photo was displayed honoring Billy George from the Bannock War era.
A round of 49 songs was sung prior to the beginning of the event.
Veterans Richard Mendez, Nolan Thorpe, DeRena Tuell and Tinker Perkins posted the colors. Miss Shoshone-Bannock Ontaria Arrow White and other local royalty danced behind them as the Spring Creek drum group sang an honor, flag and victory song.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Devon Boyer welcomed the audience and thanked them for showing appreciation to the people who served. He said it was not only for the time they were in the Armed Forces, but the time that they’re in now.
“It’s still continuous like our prayers,” he said.
49 singing in honor of veteran warriors.
FHBC Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Marine veteran Roland Marshall thanked the Osborne family for sponsoring the event and said was good to see so many veterans in the community who were willing to serve the country. Marshall said it was an honor to do so and it teaches you a lot. Marshall joined the military in 1993 and came home in 2001.
“For me, personally, it was probably the best choice I ever made in my life, because it changed me as an individual. It didn’t make me perfect, but it changed me enough to where I know that that I’m slowly, gradually over time – I’m maturing, I guess you could say.”
Marshall said he has nothing but love and respect for veterans, those that have served and those that are currently serving, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and have lost their lives on behalf of all those there. He asked everyone to observe a moment of silence for all the fallen comrades.
FHBC Councilman Nathan Small said it’s important to appreciate what the veterans have done for everyone and what they have done for the country. He thanked the family for continuing on with the tradition that started many years ago.
Other FHBC Councilman Lee Juan Tyler talked about his time in the Army in the 1980s. He acknowledged all veterans in all the branches and said it was an honor to be there to witness the prayers.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock Ontaria Arrow White wished everyone a good morning and said she was proud of the veterans for their dedication, service, and sacrifice, as well as fighting for the people’s freedoms and rights. She thanked the Osborne family for letting her speak.
Fort Hall Elementary Princess Alexis Brunette welcomed all veterans and wished them a wonderful day.
Donna Thompson was invited to speak on behalf of the Fort Hall Veteran’s Memorial Park and she said they were looking for volunteers and ideas on the plan for the park. She said they’re looking at putting a base on the memorial as it is needed. She said anyone with ideas may contact her or Randy’L Teton. She thanked Steven Faulkner for putting up the flags at the park, which would be taken down later that day.
Gifferd Osborne took the time to mention the Annual Warbonnet Dance would be postponed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He asked everyone to keep their prayers going.
Alfred Wahtomy, Buffalo Lodge President, invited everyone to an honoring of veterans and 49 at Buffalo Lodge at 1 p.m. that day and said they would also be providing sack lunches. It was something his late uncle, Leon Wahtomy, did and wanted to carry on.
The Osborne family honored Rosealean P. Johhnie, her late husband Wilford W. Johnnie Sr., and sons Elliot L. Johnnie and Freddie C. Johnnie. Rosealean was honored as a warriors wife, mother and grandmother for her support of her family. They also honored Anneliese Satz, a U.S. Marine Captain and the first woman to pilot a F-35B jet.
Darla Morgan, a coordinator and Osborne family member, said she was happy to see so many people come and enjoy themselves at the breakfast.
Morgan explained the reason they do the breakfast is because she had four uncles who were in the military and her grandmother Jessie Sequints Osborne was their mother, who kept copies of their citations and hung them up in her window. Whenever one of her sons came back from war she would take their citation down from the window. For years and years one citation hung in the window and it never came down. The citation was that of Floyd Osborne, who is the only Shoshone-Bannock tribal member that has not yet, to this day returned home. He was buried overseas and will probably never get to come home.
Morgan said it was a goal of her family’s to travel to his burial place and have prayers for him, but it never happened.
“That always has a big piece of my heart, that my uncle’s still out there somewhere,” she said tearfully.
Her mom always waited for him to walk through the door and he never did.
Veteran's display table.
Morgan said Veterans Day is so important to the nation. She could only imagine how Mrs. Johnnie felt for being the receiver of three flags. Morgan’s son is in the Navy and so it just breaks her heart to think of even to receive one.
“I’m so grateful that we got to honor a war mother this year,” she said. “We don’t ever think of the support back home. The families that are always praying for them, so I thought that was really important.”
Mrs. Johnnie and Capt. Satz received a shawl made by Tina Benally from the Osborne family. As the veterans and their families enjoyed their breakfasts they were encouraged to stay and visit and enjoy themselves as it was their day. The mic was open for people to share if they wanted to. The family also did a raffle open to all veterans in attendance.